Crib Tent Safety

How It Works

• A crib tent is usually a dome made of a mesh material supported by plastic or fiberglass poles -- similar to a camping tent design. It attaches to the top rails of a crib or portable crib, usually with clips or straps. The sides of some crib tents also extend down along the inside of the crib against the slats. The tent typically has a zipper so you can access your child inside the crib without removing the entire tent. The idea is that the child cannot get out of the crib while the tent is in place. It is designed to prevent a young child from climbing out or falling over the top rail of the crib.

Crib Tent Dangers

• While the tent might keep your child from climbing out of the crib, it puts her at risk for serious injury or death. Some babies or toddlers become trapped between the tent and the crib rail or the crib mattress. Because the tent is made of mesh, toddlers can sometimes tear the material. This creates a hole that could cause entrapment or strangulation. On models that use clips, an older child might be able to unhook the clips and become stuck when trying to climb out. The safety of the tent is also compromised when anything other than the original materials are used to secure the tent. For example, a 2-year-old child became entrapped when his crib tent was held in place by pieces of rope in place of some of the original clips, which broke.

Recalls

• In July of 2010, several crib tents designed for cribs and play yards were recalled. Tots in Mind Inc. manufactured the recalled tents. The recall affected approximately 330,000 crib tents. Parents who purchased the recalled crib tents had the option of getting a refund. The recall was based on the potential of breakage for the clips that attach the tent to the crib. Because Tots in Mind Inc. is no longer in business, retailers offered refunds or store credit to parents who purchased the tents. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends contacting the store where you purchased the tent to get a refund. If you have a recalled crib tent by the manufacturer, you should not use it on your child's crib. You can also call CPSC recall hotline to find out whether your crib tent was recalled.

Safe Sleep

• According to the CPSC, crib tents present a risk to children. If you choose to use a crib tent, the CPSC recommends using only the equipment provided with the tent to attach it to the crib. Inspect the tent regularly to look for tears, missing parts or improper attachment to the crib. To avoid the risks associated with using crib tents, consider switching your tot to a toddler bed. If he can climb out of crib, it may be time to transition him.